Disneyland's most affordable hotel to officially transform into Pixar Place Hotel in January
Unlike the wide variety of lodging choices at Disney World, Disneyland only has three on-property hotels: the original Disneyland Hotel (including the new Villas at Disneyland Hotel), the higher-end Disney’s Grand Californian and the hotel currently known as Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. The latter of the three is not only Disney's most budget-friendly hotel, but it is also in the midst of a major Pixar-themed makeover, which is set to be completed this winter.
We've just learned that Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel will officially reopen as Pixar Place Hotel on Jan. 30, 2024, making it the first Pixar-themed Disney resort in the U.S.
Originally built in the 1980s and purchased by Disneyland in the 1990s, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel has historically been the least exciting of the three Disneyland options, missing the luxury of the Grand Californian and the history of the Disneyland Hotel. For a number of years, it sported a 1920s California boardwalk theme. However, with us now solidly in the 2020s, Disney is giving the hotel some much-needed attention in the form of a Pixar-inspired makeover.
Leading up to the reveal of the resort's final transformation, Disney continues to provide updates and sneak peeks at the Pixar Place Hotel, so here’s the latest.
Disney has shared that the lobby will evolve into a bright space with nods to Pixar characters and stories, including never-before-seen artwork and the iconic Pixar Lamp balancing atop its ball. Also in the lobby, you'll find a gift shop with Pixar-themed clothing, accessories, toys and more called STOR-E, a take on the Pixar film "WALL-E."
Along with the opening date, Disney revealed a first look inside the remodeled guest rooms.
As you can see in the below rendering, rooms are playful and colorful, with details large and small in every corner. The bedding features tone-on-tone images of the Pixar Ball and is topped with a pillow inspired by the Pixar Ball. Headboards are painted with concept art from a variety of Pixar films, which is sure to be a hit with kids.
Families will also be excited that the hotel will feature a new “Finding Nemo”-inspired water play area that will include a new splash pad and a 186-foot Crush-themed waterslide. This addition is already complete and open to guests. The pool deck also provides views of the nighttime fireworks at Disneyland.
You'll find comfortable couches near the pool area where you can gather around fire pits inspired by Jack-Jack from "The Incredibles" and Anger from "Inside Out."
The Pixar Place Hotel will also debut a new restaurant named Great Maple in November.
Disneyland has shared that it will feature an all-day service with upscale comfort food such as buttermilk fried chicken and maple bacon doughnuts, Cajun shrimp and cheddar biscuit Benedict, and soda pop-braised baby back ribs. Only time will tell if this will make the list of our favorite restaurants at Disneyland, but we'll keep you posted. We also learned that a new concierge lounge is coming to Pixar Place Hotel.
Also of note for guests deciding where to stay at Disneyland is that in 2022, the hotel introduced a new walkway providing guests with a special side entrance to Disney California Adventure.
Rates at the Pixar Place Hotel currently start at around $450 per night. However, keep in mind if you stay there in the coming months, there will likely be ongoing construction as progress is made toward the property's completion Jan. 30, 2024.
And, of course, the Disneyland hotel development doesn’t stop with this one property as just down the street, the Disneyland Hotel has also recently debuted its new villas.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.